Showcase Delivered

This year’s BDIA Dental Showcase at London’s ExCeL certainly delivered on its promises. Attendance was up almost 10% compared with the 2017 show, with 10,000 attendees and more than 350 exhibitors, it certainly lived up to the hype.

To have so many suppliers under one roof, many choosing to exhibit their entire range, was invaluable for anyone planning to invest in something new or wanting to take advantage of some Showcase offers. Even those who were only window shopping had ample opportunity to learn about new products and trends and get some ideas for their ‘wish list’.

Digital dentistry was front and centre at this year’s event and the ‘Future Experience’ exhibit was a talking point in this regard. This brand-new feature not only explained what digital technology is available right now and how it can improve the way dentistry is practised, it also gave attendees the chance to interact with the equipment first-hand, learning from fellow professionals who have already migrated to digital. After being first taken back in time by viewing several artefacts from the BDA’s Dental Museum, visitors then progressed to the future, experiencing the latest intra-oral scanners, 3D printers and the Ivoclar PM7 digital milling machine – not previously seen in the UK.

For a bit of healthy competition, visitors took part in a scan challenge using a Trios Move intra-oral scanner, with a ‘Top Gear’ style leaderboard and prizes. A mini-lecture theatre, where valuable ECPD could be earned, completed the feature and if that wasn’t enough, all visitors were entered into a draw to win a FormLabs Form 2 3D printer, worth over £3,000!

Another new addition to this year’s event was the ‘FD Day’ on the Thursday with a dedicated stream of content, a purpose-built career advice centre on the show floor and the black-tie Foundation Dentists’ Ball on the glamourous Sunborn yacht moored alongside the venue. Over 200 foundation dentists attended the glittering evening, many reunited for the first time since starting their placement year.

Dental Showcase provided the ideal opportunity to add a few hours to everyone’s CPD log. The theme of the Dental Update Study Day was ‘Avoiding Risk in Dentistry’. Profession Trevor Burke both chaired and presented this year, along with John Milne, Head of the CQC and Tara Renton. Adding a little breadth to the lecture programme was Steve Hawkins, the Chief Training Pilot for British Airways. His lecture entitled ‘Lessons from the Cockpit’, gave all attendees plenty of food for thought. Shorter lectures were also available in the Innovation Theatre, as well as the CDO Zone and on many of the exhibitor’s stands.

Event director, Ed Wyre said “We’re delighted with the success of this year’s event. The amount of effort and investment put in to stands by the exhibitors just goes to show that Showcase remains the premier event in dentistry. It’s fantastic to see such a range of products including new launches and a real shift towards digital technology this year – notwithstanding the dinosaur walking the show floor at regular intervals!”

“The support of the profession is phenomenal, and I’m pleased we’ve managed to maintain the high proportion of dentists and practice owners taking the time to attend the event and take advantage of show offers, see the latest kit and reignite their learning in our ‘London’ themed theatres. On behalf of the whole team at BDIA Dental Showcase, a huge thank you must go out to all our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and attendees – we can’t wait for next year!” Wyre continued.

Showcase once again provided the platform for Sara Hurley, Chief Dental Officer England and her team and numerous societies and charitable associations to talk to their members and engage directly with the profession. They’ll all be back next year at the NEC on 17-19 October 2019 so don’t forget to mark the date in your diary.